Moms: What Kind of Clothes Do YOU Wear (wash 'n wear)

[etwahl]

Before pregnancy (and even during) all of my clothes were dry clean or iron-required. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED BCBG, but also shopped a lot at Old Navy, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, etc.

I've spent the entire summer in what I would call workout shorts (my pre-pregnancy ones) and tank tops. Very easy wash 'n go. However, they're not all that stylish in my opinion, which i guess doesn't matter anyway.

Well now that we're going to be getting into fall, and there are no local shops, I have to resort to shopping online for myself (something I've never done) and try to relearn how to shop/dress.

what are your favorite items of clothes and where do you buy -- that are specifically wash 'n go?

Where do you buy shoes when you don't have a local store to try them on in? The shopping here is appallingly bad...

Tammy,
Mom to Lauren Genevieve
03/12/2003
www.evantammy.com

Geez, that's a tough one...buying clothes online can be tricky. I am a jeans/khakis/fitted tops/sweaters gal, and I do have some clothes from J.Crew, but lately I am not as into their stuff, the sizing's been weird and it can be pricey for what it is, so I generally just buy on sale--they have a lot of sales (www.jcrew.com). The problem is, I don't know your body type so it's hard to say how their clothes will fit you. I LOVE Lucky Jeans, and I think they have a website...don't know what it is, try yahoo (sorry, I live in Chicago and we ar elucky to have great shopping here even though it is freezing half the time)

You said you liked BCBG, so you might check out www.bluefly.com. I have bought a couple pairs of pants there. They carry some very cool brands at low prices. Once you know how a certain brand fits you, it's a great place to buy pants. Problem is, you might spend extra $$ sending stuff back. A lot of times they'll have free shipping promotions, definitely wait for one of those.

As for shoes, yikes, can't imagine not trying shoes on. I guess try nordstrom's online (???). They have a good selection. www.aerosoles.com is good too, if you like their shoes, they're comfortable...GOOD LUCK :-)

[etwahl]

yes, the hell (can i say that?!) of not living near shopping. coming from san diego to here...well let's just say it's a big fat adjustment.

as for my body type, i'm still carrying 7 pounds, but i am normally pretty fit/thin and evenly distributed throughout. however, i do have a very hard time buying jeans. if dh was here, i'd find it easier to just take a day in raleigh shopping, but i have a harder time travelling that fat when i can't sit in the back with lauren. she hates it back there all alone...and screams her head off.

Tammy,
Mom to Lauren Genevieve
03/12/2003
www.evantammy.com

Two words: stretch denim. Gap.com has become a new favorite of mine. The problem I find is that pants seem to be made for people whose waist and butt are the same circumference - something mine most certainly are NOT. My summer/fall wardrobe consists of several pairs of capris from Gap.com (a couple are stretch khakis or stretch denim). For some reason I don't find the stretch denim fades, and it always looks smoother (and, more importantly, are more comfortable for playing on the floor, etc.). Shirts I get at Gap, the Limited, Old Navy, etc.

Shoes are tough. I guess go with brands that you know fit you well and order those online? I know what my Steve Madden, Kenneth Cole, and Dr. Marten sizes are, so those aren't a problem. If it's a new style, I guess it's hit or miss. Try nordstrom.com - maybe clothes at Amazon? I don't know. Good luck!

[caffeinedreams]

For casual clothes, one place I love to order online from is American Apparel. [www.americanapparel.net] They have the cutest tee shirts in every color imaginable. I live in their girly tees and tanks in the summer, and girly raglan 3/4 tees, long sleeve tees, and hoodies in the fall and winter. They are so soft and comfy and the quality is great for casual wear. I just toss them in the washer, hang to dry, and they come out great, and look much more stylish and pulled together than a lot of tee shirts out there--they fit closely without being too tight or clingy. They also have the cutest baby and children tees as well. Plus, they are sweatshop-free, which is a nice plus.

[momathome]

I have had a lot of luck with the Eddie Bauer catalog for both clothes and shoes. They run pretty to true to size and definitely wash and wear well. I do not order much online - I live near the shopping mecca of the world - The Court and the PLaza at King Of Prussia. It is the largest retail mall in the country - it has even more stores than Mall of America (much to dh's dismay!). I am also only an hour away from fabulous outlets - Lancaster, PA. I do most of my shopping at these 2 places and love Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, and the Tommy Hilfiger Outlet for more stylish clothes. Do you have a Ross, Marshalls, or TJMAxx near you? I always have luck finding great clothes at these places. Good luck and happy shopping!
-Lauren

I've always been a LL Bean/Lands End kinda of girl - J.Jill has nice casual clothes too. I love shirt with a little lycra in them -less wrinkles for me.

Happy shopping,

I would agree with the places everyone else suggested. I have a pretty casual style so Gap/Old Navy/Eddie Bauer/etc. suit me perfectly and I have no complaints on quality/shrinkage/etc. There are certainly more stylish options at most of the sites mentioned if you want them.

I've had better luck with tops than with bottoms, at least until I figure out what places have the best fit for me. If you have Gap/Old Navy stores you can get to at all, they take returns at the store. That would give you some room to experiment. And you can usually find a free shipping code so you're not out any extra money for trying lots of things. (It's worked great for my maternity stuff.)

I have bought lots of shoes online because I have ridiculously wide feet. Again, if you can figure out what brands fit you it makes it a lot easier, but I have had to put up with returns on shoes more than with clothes. I like Naturalizer and Easy Spirit the best, personally (naturalizeronline.com and easyspirit.com). They have great selection online, better than in the stores. Catalog sites like marylandsquare.com have lots of selection from a variety of brands.

Good luck!!

--Lori R.
EDD 12/2/03

'i have a harder time travelling that fat when i can't sit in the back with lauren'

I know you meant, 'that far' but it still provided me w/ a good giggle.

I do large amounts of Polo (once you know the size you would wear, the website is fabulous), and lots of Ann Taylor, and Ann Taylor Loft. I can order the AT online, but the loft I have to go and get, but the clothes are yummy and comfy, and I adore them. I love Gap stretch jeans, and tees as well, and you can almost always find a discount code or free shipping, so that helps.

I am a huge Aerosoles fan. I have found that once you learn your size in a few key brands (for me, that's Aerosoles, Nine West, and LizFlex), I can order online (usually from Nordstrom's) with pretty great confidence that they will fit. And if they don't, the return policies are great. :-)